I have spent the last week disappointed at how some in solar have talked about the solar roadways projects. I get that there are questions about how it can work but anyone that says that it should not be pursued should be ashamed. Don’t you think that some in Goldman Sachs laughed when the SunEdison founders walked in the door and pitched the PPA? Thought SolarCity was crazy pursuing residential solar or making small micro-inverters was silly. Innovation often makes no sense, just because you don’t get the vision doesn’t mean you should crap on their idea.

News

• SJ Mercury: Energy storage: The hot new thing in Silicon Valley
• PV-Tech: US solar trade decision undermines Obama’s climate efforts
• RE World: Energy Debate Centers Around “Consumers” not “Rate-payers”
• Forbes: Could Solar Panels Replace Concrete Or Asphalt Roads?
• Grist: This is how little it costs for states to go renewable
• KGUN: AG warns about residential solar panel systems
• GTM: Move Over, Solar: Efficiency YieldCos Could Bear Better Returns

Opinions

• Senator Coats: What Obama could learn from Germany’s failed experiment
• Stion: SEIA? Are you really pro-solar?

Have a great day! Yann

After a day of checking around about the tariffs, there are some prevalent thoughts that are coming out. At first, the impacts to the market may not be as bad as first thought, i.e. the pricing will go up but not crushing the market. The impact however, will hurt new markets from being developed and cause a crunch to project returns/contractor margins. Politically, it appears that with a Qatari company (SolarWorld) making the complaint, the greater politics made it hard for the administration.

News

• This Week: The U.S. just made a huge mistake in its solar fight with China
• Forbes: US Should Be Dissatisfied With The Anti-China Solar Tariffs
• Bloomberg: Obama Isn’t Killing Power Plants. The Sun Is.
• GTM: Why Solar-as-a-Service Is Not Going Away Anytime Soon
• Bloomberg: China Dissatisfied With U.S. Solar Anti-Subsidy Tariffs
• GTM: Are the Legacy Costs of Germany’s Solar Feed-In Tariff Fixable?
• CNBC: Is solar really ready for prime time?
• Forbes: E.ON Plans To Win Over The Dutch With Service From Sungevity

Opinions

• Motley Fool: Our Solar Trade War With China Just Took Another Turn

Have a great day! Yann

On my way back from Europe so today’s edition is a bit lacking. Most importantly the Commerce Department has issued preliminary Counterveiling Duties ranging from 19% to 35%. Initial reaction is as expected with many calling it hurtful to the industry. This should and could have been avoided. Time for someone to take this by the helm and get something done.

News

• Business Insider: Sunniest State Is The Battleground For Biggest Solar Fight 
• RenewEconomy: New US solar installation every 2.4 minutes
• RE World: Abengoa $600M Spinoff Shows Momentum for Energy Yieldcos
• GTM: Almost Bought Hawaii’s Utility for $6B and Made It a Renewables Paradise
• NY Times: In Debate Over Coal, Lessons From ’90s Tobacco Fight
• PV-Tech: US$53 trillion energy investment needed to head off climate change
• Business Insider: How Solar Will Destroy The Power Companies, In 5 Steps
• Gizmodo: This video explains why solar roadways won’t work anytime soon

Opinions

• RE World: Giant Exelon Launches Front Group to Undermine Renewables

Have a great day! Yann